NACo and Public Technology Institute Technology Summit discusses pros and cons of new technologies

Technology experts and county leaders discussed the responsibilities of protecting and creating new technologies at the NACo and Public Technology Institute Technology Summit on Saturday afternoon.

As counties update their technology systems, they often unknowingly bring new cyber threats into their systems. These threats can be detrimental, or even fatal, to a county’s technologies and data storage systems. Therefore, it is extremely important to train employees how to secure these technologies and to have a cyber attack response plan in place.

“You cannot expect perfection. As a county official you have to say ‘when we get hit’ not ‘if we get hit,” Steve Hurst, director of security services and strategy global emerging services at AT&T, said.

Thomas Maclellan, government affairs at Symantec, encouraged counties to pay closer attention to cybersecurity on devices that are a part of the Internet of Things, such as high-tech refrigerators, toasters or even self-driving cars.

“I look at cyber security as infrastructure at this point. It’s no different than a road, it’s no different than a school, and it’s going to cost money. We’re going to have to get over that.” Maclellan explained.The next group of panelists detailed how a community can establish a “smart county plan” in order to create strategies for technologies can work together to improve transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, and mobility. Panelist Richard Leadbeater, global manager of state government solutions at Esri, explained that instituting such a plan can help local governments save money.

Preston Read, senior director of partnerships and alliances at Sensity Systems, added that counties can use such technology to assist local law enforcement by storing surveillance camera information or real time data.  

Such technological improvements can also affect the workforce. New technologies, especially technologies involving data or video analytics, require specialized analysts to store, scrutinize and secure information.